Job creation tops agenda for 4th Bristol rep. hopefuls

The two candidates for the 4th Bristol Representative district have been knocking on thousands of doors in an effort to gain votes, each bringing a message of the need to improve the state’s job creation prospects.

The two candidates for the 4th Bristol Representative district have been knocking on thousands of doors in an effort to gain votes, each bringing a message of the need to improve the state’s job creation prospects.

Both incumbent Democrat Steven D’Amico and Republican challenger Steven Howitt say they see a system that is broken and failing to bring jobs to the commonwealth.

D’Amico said the fix comes by tieing the district into the economy of the state. He said such a link is important because the district, which includes Swansea, Rehoboth, Norton and Seekonk, sits in between Rhode Island and Fall River, both of which have struggling economies.

D’Amico said one way to integrate the district into the state is through the building of a commuter rail link to Fall River, while also bringing a bio-processing center to the area. He also suggested closing corporate loop holes and creating a uniform tax structure for all businesses would help.

“We need to eliminate exemptions for all businesses and bring the tax rate down for all businesses and not just those that have political connections,” D’Amico said.

Howitt agrees that the state needs to become more business friendly, saying the state has a “myriad of rules, regulations and tax rates that are ever changing,” along with incentives that exist one day and not the next.

But while each candidate sees a need to improve the state’s business atmosphere, they differ on the prospects of expanded casino gambling in the state. D’Amico stands staunchly against the concept, voicing concern that such gambling will reduce revenues coming into the state lottery while also having negative impacts on host communities and residents.

Howitt though, supports both casinos and racinos, saying the two options will create jobs not just related to the gambling facilities, but also for horse breeders and related fields.

“There are so many jobs that could be offered through the slot parlors alone and we would benefit from the revenue coming in,” Howitt said. “There are just lots of positives from this.”

The gambling issue is just the first where the two candidates separate themselves.

Howitt describes his opponent as “very, very liberal” while saying D’Amico has become too independent of a voice that is hurting the district.

“We need somebody who can disagree, but get along,” Howitt said.

D’Amico, however, takes pride in his stance to stand up for what he believes in on Beacon Hill.

“I have not been afraid to stand up to leadership on Beacon Hill or political insiders. I’m not afraid to battle them on the floor or in the press and there are not many people willing to do that,” D’Amico said.

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D’Amico, in turn, accuses his opponent of pandering to constituents by promising to restore local aid while also rolling back taxes.

“I know we can’t do both and if I told people we could, I wouldn’t deserve their vote,” D’Amico said. “I would rather be honest than give empty promises that I can’t fulfill.”

Howitt said that in passing legislation he would consider three things: Can it be afforded? What effect would it have on the district? What effect would it have on the state?

He also criticized D’Amico for his stance against tax credits for the film industry, which D’Amico said doesn’t benefit the state for the amount that is given away. Howitt said that while D’Amico relies on a Department of Revenue report to support his case, other reports have found the program beneficial to the state.